Melissa Schuler
Chicago,IL
Summary
Experienced Senior Project Manager gifted at meeting tight deadlines, driving business opportunities and working well in team-based environments. Engaging and personable to manage key milestones and deliver exemplary customer service.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Project Manager
Morningstar
07.2022 - 12.2023
- Led production of impactful digital content for both customer-facing and B2B websites. This included overseeing seamless integration of design elements, user experience considerations, and compelling copy to ensure delivery of high-quality, cohesive content that aligns with Morningstar's brand and effectively engages target audience.
- Successfully orchestrated and streamlined multiple workflows involving cross-functional collaboration with UX designers, graphic designers, copywriters, and stakeholders.
- Facilitated sprint planning, product backlog grooming, daily standups, and retrospectives for 4 cross-functional development squads and creative teams.
- Streamlined project management processes by implementing agile methodologies, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced costs.
- Identified and managed project risks; developed contingency plans to mitigate potential issues.
- Developed, implemented, and maintained detailed project plans in Asana that outlined scope and business requirements, timelines, resources, and organizational KPIs.
- Established and managed change management processes to fulfill successful project transitions.
Digital Ops Design & Integration Manager
UScellular
08.2020 - 06.2022
- Digital track lead for Enterprise and functional projects impacting customer experience across UScellular's website and mobile app.
- Managed end-to-end digital projects with oversight of analysis, UX, testing (UAT & ETQA), and support resources.
- Ensured new digital capabilities were customer-focused, easy for frontline associates to adopt, and integrated into existing digital operations.
- Identified and mitigated potential risks to project timelines and budget, and developed contingency plans to cover all possible outcomes.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify integration needs, developing tailored strategies for successful implementation.
- Digital track lead for Prepaid Anonymous Payment Portal, Prepaid On Device Activation, Paperless Billing Opt-Out, Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, and more.
Support Analyst & Digital Project Manager
Sandstorm Design
07.2018 - 08.2020
- Led Sandstorm technical support program to ensure world-class client services including defect diagnosis, prioritization, and resolution.
- Managed security, maintenance updates, and website enhancements for new and existing clients.
- Utilized Google Analytics to identify trends and SEO/SEM optimization opportunities for clients.
- Organized and facilitated daily scrum, sprint reviews, backlog refinement, and retrospectives.
- Improved client satisfaction by promptly addressing and resolving support issues.
- Conducted thorough analysis of user requirements, delivering tailored solutions to meet client needs.
Senior Digital Platform Specialist
Brookfield Properties (formerly GGP)
02.2018 - 07.2018
- Developed and executed multi-channel digital marketing and social media campaigns across Brookfield Properties' shopping mall portfolio.
- Provided digital support for field staff; problem-solved issues with AEM and other applications integrated into backend of AEM.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams and third-party vendors to plan and execute experiential shopper-focused events.
- Evaluated website users' needs and customer feedback to drive product and service improvements.
Digital Marketing & Social Media Specialist
Brookfield Properties (formerly GGP)
06.2015 - 02.2018
- Grew social following by researching trends, identifying influencers, and engaging with potential partners for promotional activities.
- Assisted in migration of content from 100+ websites from proprietary CMS into AEM.
- Trained field staff on how to build and enter content into AEM.
- Created, edited, and published content into AEM and social media channels for Brookfield Properties' 100+ retail properties.
- Developed monthly content calendars outlining post topics, images, and captions in advance for streamlined scheduling processes.
Web and Social Media Manager
Adler Planetarium
02.2013 - 03.2015
- Implemented website and social media strategies across multiple digital platforms leveraging events, programming, science, and education initiatives.
- Increased visitor engagement through targeted social media campaigns.
- Facilitated live events such as Twitter Q&A sessions or product launches on various social platforms engaging audiences directly.
- Developed relationships with influencers to raise awareness of Adler's astronomy efforts.
Public Relations Manager
Adler Planetarium
04.2012 - 02.2013
- Oversaw overall planning, implementation, and management of day-to-day public relations and new media initiatives.
- Wrote and edited articles, web content, advertising copy, and blog posts for internal and external audiences.
- Identified metrics to measure and evaluate effectiveness of public relations campaigns and initiatives.
- Managed internal, external, and crisis communications.
Public Relations Coordinator
Chicago Botanic Garden
07.2009 - 04.2012
- Planned and executed PR campaigns surrounding events, conservation efforts, and education programs.
- Developed creative angles for pitches that resonated with journalists' interests, securing coverage in relevant outlets.
- Analyzed campaign performance using various metrics, refining strategies for improved results over time.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA12.1998
Skills
- Agile/Waterfall Project Management
- Agile Frameworks (Scrum, Kanban)
- Asana, Basecamp, Smartsheets
- Figma
- Google Workspace
- Jira
- MS Suite, MS Project, MS Visio
- MS Teams, Slack, Zoom
- Project Planning, Scope Management, Analytics & Critical Thinking
- Requirements Gathering
- Website Content Quality Control
Certification
- Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM), Scrum Alliance, September 2023
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Scrum Alliance, June 2021
- Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Scrum Alliance, August 2021
Content Management Systems
- Adobe Experience Manager (AEM)
- Contentstack
- Drupal
- SquareSpace
- WordPress
Timeline
Senior Project Manager
Morningstar
07.2022 - 12.2023
Digital Ops Design & Integration Manager
UScellular
08.2020 - 06.2022
Support Analyst & Digital Project Manager
Sandstorm Design
07.2018 - 08.2020
Senior Digital Platform Specialist
Brookfield Properties (formerly GGP)
02.2018 - 07.2018
Digital Marketing & Social Media Specialist
Brookfield Properties (formerly GGP)
06.2015 - 02.2018
Web and Social Media Manager
Adler Planetarium
02.2013 - 03.2015
Public Relations Manager
Adler Planetarium
04.2012 - 02.2013
Public Relations Coordinator
Chicago Botanic Garden
07.2009 - 04.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM), Scrum Alliance, September 2023
- Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Scrum Alliance, June 2021
- Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Scrum Alliance, August 2021
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